WHAT IS THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS?

By Rev. Shafa S. Salma

To eat, drink and wear new clothes? The birth of Christ is a special and miraculous event, yet it isn't the primary focus. The central truth of the Christmas story is this: the Child of Christmas is God. Are you surprise to hear that? Follow me and read through. The true meaning of Christmas is love. God loved His own and provided a way—the only Way—for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of love. "But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). That is Christmas!

God in a Manger

Christmas is not about the Saviour's birth only; it is about His deity. The humble birth of Jesus Christ was never intended to conceal the reality that God was being born into the world. The birth of Jesus is not a legend but a reality.

Do we fathom what it means for God to be born in a manger? Do you want to ask what was involved in God's becoming man? God became man without forsaking His divine nature or diminishing His deity, He was born into our world as a tiny infant to save the mankind that is the kind of God we serve. He was fully human and fully God wise and all powerful. Jesus is the only human being who ever live on earth with all human needs and emotions like yours yet did not sin. The biblical evidence is overwhelming that this child in the manger was the incarnation of God.

The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus who lived in Israel 2,000 years ago and who died on the cross for our sins (1 Corinthians 15 1-4,1Peter 2:2. Specifically, when we use the word "meaning," here we're talking about the purpose of His birth that Christmas is supposed to celebrate. His purpose was to enter into the world and become one of us that He might deliver us from our sins. Jesus is not just any man. He is God in flesh as in John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9). He is the second person of the Trinity.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him," (John 3:16-17).

So, Christmas is supposed to be the time of the year where we celebrate the birth of Christ. But, unfortunately, it has become a commercial holiday rather than a religious one and is mostly known as a time for businesses to make money, for people to give gifts, for children to be excited, for parties, merriment etc. Others use the day to cheat steal and to do all kinds of immoral acts. Is that the meaning of Christmas to you? The "reason for your celebration" is supposed to be Jesus, not gifts, not parties, and not watching "the big game." Of course, having celebrations, attending parties, and watching the big game, films and forms of dances are not wrong. It's just that the meaning of Christmas is supposed to be a recognition of and appreciation of the birth of the one who loves us and died for us in our place.

Jesus is the reason for the season

Jesus gives meaning to Christmas. Jesus, who was God in flesh, perfect, pure, holy, and who died on the cross and rose from the dead, is the one who gives the true meaning to Christmas.

It's this time of the year again. December has come and with it all the joys of Christmas. But what is the real meaning of Christmas once again? Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, chickens and turkey dinners with family and friends, all sort of assorted drinks or shouts of "Merry Christmas" to those who pass us in the streets? Is this really Christmas? Or is it the new clothes, the fireworks and the dances the meaning of Christmas?

For many people, Christmas is a time of sorrow because they don't have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends. Many are saddened at Christmas time when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons. Pork meat, chickens and Turkey dinners may be only a wish and not a reality for some.

Christmas is a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed of strength. Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was not an ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years ago before His birth. When Jesus was born there was no place for Him in the city likewise when He died there was no place for Him in the city.

Why did He come? Why did God send His Son to this cruel and hard world? He sent Jesus to us so that one day, He would grow up to become a very important part of history. His story (history) is one of truth, love, and hope. It brought salvation to all of us. Without Jesus, we would all die in our sins. Jesus was born so one day the price could be paid for the things we have done that are wrong. The Bible says that all have sinned. We are all born with a sin nature. We do things that do not please God. Through the sins of Adam and Eve, we have all inherited that sin nature. We need to have that removed. The only way is through Jesus. Jesus came so He could die on the cross for ALL of our sins. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we can ask Him to come into our hearts and forgive us. Then, we are clean and made whole. We can know that heaven is a place where we can go to when this life is over. "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong." 1 John 1:9. We can truly be happy at Christmas! No matter what may be happening because we know that we are His children. Look at Christmas in a new way this year. This is the year to invite Jesus into your heart. You will then have a real "Merry Christmas." May the joy and peace you will receive at this Christmas last all year round as you look to God for all your needs to be met in Jesus name! Jesus Is The Reason For The Season! Rejoice!